CWUIC · California Wildland-Urban Interface Code
When is a vegetation management plan required?
If your project needs a permit, submit a vegetation management plan to the code official (see § B101.1). If you're adding new landscaping in an SRA or LRA that’s in a Fire Hazard Severity Zone, follow the landscape/vegetation plan requirements in § 603.2 and the related sections (show 30‑ and 100‑foot fuel zones, species, irrigation, and maintenance).
Last reviewed: July 6, 2026
What the code requires — 2-4 sentences
A vegetation management plan must be submitted to the code official for review and approval as part of the plans required for a permit — this is the basic scope rule in § B101.1.
Separately, any new plantings of vegetation located in a State Responsibility Area (SRA) or Local Responsibility Area (LRA) that is designated as a Fire Hazard Severity Zone must comply with the vegetation/landscape plan rules in § 603.2 (i.e., the landscape/vegetation plan requirements in §§ 603.3–603.4.2.1).
The single most important rule: submit a vegetation management plan with your permit when the work triggers permit review, and comply with the SRA/LRA fuel-management planting rules where the site lies in a Fire Hazard Severity Zone.
Requirements in detail
High-level triggers (when a plan is required)
- Trigger A — Permit submission: Any project that requires a building/landscape permit where the jurisdiction requires vegetation management plans must include the plan with the permit application (see § B101.1).
- Trigger B — New plantings in hazardous areas: All new plantings in SRA or LRA areas designated as a Fire Hazard Severity Zone must comply with the landscape/vegetation plan rules in § 603.2 (which means the code official may require a landscape plan per § 603.3).
What the plan must show (Appendix B content)
- The plan must describe actions to prevent fire movement toward or away from the building and include a copy of the site plan, methods and timetables for controlling/modifying vegetation (removal of slash/snags/ladder fuels/dead trees, thinning of live trees, removal of vegetation that may grow into overhead electrical lines), and a maintenance plan for fuel reduction measures (§ B101.2). Continuous maintenance is required for something to be considered a fuel modification (§ B101.3).
Landscape/vegetation plan contents where 603.2 applies
If the code official requires a landscape plan under § 603.3, the plan must include development and maintenance requirements for vegetation management zones adjacent to structures and roadways and provide significant fire-hazard reduction benefits.
Minimum mandatory elements (per § 603.3.1) include:
- Delineation of the 30-foot and 100-foot fuel management zones from all structures.
- Identification of existing vegetation to remain and proposed new vegetation.
- Identification of irrigated areas; plant legend with botanical and common names; identification of ground coverings within the 30-foot zone.
Decision-relevant dimensions / values
| Decision dimension | Key values or tests | Code Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Where new-planting rules apply | SRA or LRA designated as Fire Hazard Severity Zone | § 603.2 |
| When plan must be submitted | As part of the permit plans — submitted to the code official for review/approval | § B101.1 |
| Required plan contents (summary) | Copy of site plan; methods & timetables; removal/thinning elements; maintenance plan | § B101.2 |
| Fuel-management zone distances | 30-foot (9,144 mm) and 100-foot (30,480 mm) delineations from structures | § 603.3.1 / § 603.3 |
| Vegetation types/limits (new plantings) | Shrub and tree spacing/height limits, fire-smart requirements (see § 603.4+) | § 603.4, § 603.4.1, § 603.4.2 |
| Fuel modification status | Continuous maintenance required to be considered a fuel modification | § B101.3 |
(See the Related provisions section below for direct section references used for details.)
Exceptions & special cases
Appendix status: Appendix B (which contains § B101.x) is informational and not mandatory unless specifically adopted by the local adopting ordinance — meaning a jurisdiction must adopt Appendix B language before it becomes enforceable locally; check local adoption.
Discretion of the code official: Landscape plans are required “when required by the code official” (i.e., the code official can require a plan under § 603.3). That means not every small planting necessarily triggers a full landscape plan unless the code official says so.
Plant exceptions: There is a specific exception allowing certain trees classified as nonfire‑smart to be used if they meet conditions in § 603.4.2.1; check that section for qualifications.
Other compliance paths: Fire protection plans and subdivision/project-wide mitigation (Sections in Chapter 6, e.g., fire protection plans) may require more detailed vegetation/fuel-modification mapping for larger projects; those provisions are separate but related.
Common mistakes
Treating Appendix B as automatically mandatory — many jurisdictions have not adopted Appendix B. Always confirm local adoption before assuming Appendix B requirements apply.
Failing to submit the plan with the permit application — § B101.1 requires submission as part of plans required for a permit. Submitting after permit issuance or at rough inspection can lead to delays or rejection.
Omitting the maintenance/timetable element — a vegetation management plan must include methods and timetables and a plan for maintaining fuel-reduction measures (so short-term work without ongoing maintenance documentation is inadequate).
Measuring the wrong distances — the code requires both 30‑foot and 100‑foot delineations for fuel management zones in landscape plans; don’t confuse or swap these.
Assuming “fire-smart” is subjective — the code defines criteria for fire‑smart vegetation (approved lists, professional justification, or local approval), so document why plant choices meet the fire‑smart test.
Worked example — concrete scenario
Scenario: You plan a new home and landscaping on a 1‑acre parcel located in a State Responsibility Area (SRA) that is mapped as a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone.
Step-by-step application:
Because the project requires building and landscape permits, you must submit a vegetation management plan with the permit application — see § B101.1.
Because the parcel is in an SRA and a Fire Hazard Severity Zone, § 603.2 applies — the new plantings must comply with §§ 603.3–603.4.
Prepare a landscape/vegetation plan that at minimum includes the items in § 603.3.1, for example:
- Draw and label the 30‑foot (9,144 mm) and 100‑foot (30,480 mm) fuel management zones around the proposed house foundation (§ 603.3.1.1).
- Identify existing trees you will keep and proposed new shrubs/trees; in the 30‑ft zone keep shrubs under 6 ft high and limit shrub groupings to 10 ft aggregate diameter (and spacing between groupings 15 ft), per § 603.4.1.
- For new trees in the 30‑ft zone: show that at maturity the tree’s drip line will remain ≥10 ft from the building and crowns will be spaced ≥10 ft from other trees (per § 603.4.2).
- Provide a plant legend with botanical/common names, identify irrigated areas, and show groundcover types within 30 ft.
Include in the plan the methods and timetable for removing ladder fuels, dead trees, and slash, and include a legally binding maintenance statement or covenant if required by the local agency (Appendix B recommended contents and Chapter 6 project plan expectations).
Expect the code official to review and either approve or require changes before permit approval; proof of vegetation compliance may be required prior to final building permit approval. (See vegetation compliance and inspection/acceptance provisions.)
Related provisions
- § B101.1 — Scope: vegetation management plans shall be submitted with permit plans.
- § B101.2 — Plan content: site plan, methods/timetables, removal/thinning elements, maintenance plan.
- § B101.3 — Fuel modification: continuous maintenance required to be considered fuel modification.
- § 603.1 — General planting objective: choose vegetation to reduce proximity risk.
- § 603.2 — Application: all new plantings in SRA/LRA FHZS must comply with §§ 603.3–603.4.2.1.
- § 603.3 — Landscape plans: required when code official so directs; includes development/maintenance requirements.
- § 603.3.1 — Contents: delineation of 30‑ft and 100‑ft fuel management zones, plant legend, irrigated areas, groundcover identification.
- § 603.4 / § 603.4.1 / § 603.4.2 — Vegetation and detailed shrub/tree rules (fire‑smart, sizes, spacing, drip line distances).
- § 602.3.2 — Fire protection plans for projects: includes mapping proposed plants and fuel modification zones (useful for larger developments).
- § 106.4 — Vegetation management compliance: property must comply with Section 603 (and PRC 4291/Gov Code 51182) prior to final approval; acceptable inspection documentation methods are listed.
Code references
Grounded in the retrieved California Wildland-Urban Interface Code — click a citation to read the verbatim passage:
CWUIC § B101 High relevance — show source text
SECTION B101—GENERAL
B101.1 Scope. Vegetation management plans shall be submitted to the code official for review and approval as part of the plans required for a permit.
B101.2 Plan content. Vegetation management plans shall describe all actions that will be taken to prevent a fire from being carried toward or away from the building. A vegetation management plan shall include the following information:
- A copy of the site plan.
- Methods and timetables for controlling, changing or modifying areas on the property. Elements of the plan shall include removal of slash, snags, vegetation that may grow into overhead electrical lines, other ground fuels, ladder fuels and dead trees, and the thinning of live trees.
- A plan for maintaining the proposed fuel-reduction measures.
B101.3 Fuel modification. To be considered a fuel modification for purposes of this code, continuous maintenance of the clearance is required.
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CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE – MATRIX ADOPTION TABLE APPENDIX C – COMMUNITY WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE (WUI) FIRE HAZARD EVALUATION FRAMEWORK
(Matrix Adoption Tables are nonregulatory, intended only as an aid to the code user. See Chapter 1 for state agency authority and building applications.)
(Not adopted by the State Fire Marshal)
Adopting Agency BSC BSC-
CGSFM Col5 HCD Col7 Col8 DSA Col10 OSHPD Col12 Col13 Col14 Col15 Col16 BSCC DPH AGR DWR CEC CA SL SLC Adopting Agency BSC BSC-
CGT-24 T-19* 1 2 1/AC AC SS 1 1R 2 3 4 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 Adopt Entire Chapter Adopt Entire Chapter as
amended (amended sections
listed below)Adopt only those sections that
are listed below[California Code of Regulations,
Title 19, Division 1]Chapter / Section CWUIC § 1.11. High relevance — show source text
- The California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 19, Division 1 provisions that are found in the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code are a reprint from the current CCR, Title 19, Division 1 text for the code user’s convenience only. The scope, applicability and appeals procedures of CCR, Title 19, Division I remain the same. The state agency does not adopt sections identified by the following symbol: The Office of the State Fire Marshal’s adoption of this chapter or individual sections is applicable to structures regulated by other state agencies pursuant to Section 1.11.
The California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 14, Division 1.5 provisions that are found in the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code are not listed in the Matrix Adoption Tables as they are not within the State Fire Marshal’s authority to adopt. These provisions are a reprint from the current CCR, Title 14, Division 1.5 text for the code user’s convenience only and are identified in the body of the code by square brackets containing references to applicable Title 14 sections.
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APPENDIX B-2 2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE
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B VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN
The provisions contained in this appendix are not mandatory unless specifically referenced in the adopting ordinance.
User notes:
About this appendix: Appendix B, while not part of the code, can become part of the code when specifically included in the adopting ordinance. Its purpose is to provide criteria for submitting vegetation management plans, specifying their content and establishing a criterion for considering vegetation management as being a fuel modification.
SECTION B101—GENERAL
B101.1 Scope. Vegetation management plans shall be submitted to the code official for review and approval as part of the plans required for a permit.
B101.2 Plan content. Vegetation management plans shall describe all actions that will be taken to prevent a fire from being carried toward or away from the building. A vegetation management plan shall include the following information:
- A copy of the site plan.
- Methods and timetables for controlling, changing or modifying areas on the property. Elements of the plan shall include removal of slash, snags, vegetation that may grow into overhead electrical lines, other ground fuels, ladder fuels and dead trees, and the thinning of live trees.
- A plan for maintaining the proposed fuel-reduction measures.
B101.3 Fuel modification. To be considered a fuel modification for purposes of this code, continuous maintenance of the clearance is required.
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CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE – MATRIX ADOPTION TABLE APPENDIX C – COMMUNITY WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE (WUI) FIRE HAZARD EVALUATION FRAMEWORK
CWUIC § 603.2 Medium relevance — show source text
603.2 Application. All new plantings of vegetation in State Responsibility Area (SRA) and Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) designated as a Fire Hazard Severity Zone shall comply with Sections 603.3 through 603.4.2.1.
603.3 Landscape plans. Landscape plans shall be provided when required by the code official. The landscape plan shall include devel- opment and maintenance requirements for the vegetation management zone adjacent to structures and roadways, and provide significant fire hazard reduction benefits for public and firefighting safety.
603.3.1 Contents. Landscape plans shall contain the following: 1. Delineation of the 30-foot (9144 mm) and 100-foot (30 480 mm) fuel management zones from all structures. 2. Identification of existing vegetation to remain and proposed new vegetation. 3. Identification of irrigated areas. 4. A plant legend with both botanical and common names, and identification of all plant material symbols. 5. Identification of ground coverings within the 30-foot (9144 mm) zone.
603.4 Vegetation. All new vegetation shall be fire-smart vegetation in accordance with this section.
Exception: Trees classified as nonfire-smart vegetation complying with Section 603.4.2.1.
To be considered fire-smart vegetation, vegetation must meet at least one of the following: 1. Be identified as fire-smart vegetation in an approved book, journal or listing from an approved organization. 2. Be identified as fire-smart vegetation by a licensed landscape architect with supporting justification. 3. Plants considered fire-smart vegetation and approved by the local enforcing agency.
603.4.1 Shrubs. All new plantings of shrubs shall comply with the following: 1. Shrubs shall not exceed 6 feet (1829 mm) in height. 2. Groupings of shrubs are limited to a maximum aggregate diameter of 10 feet (3048 mm). 3. Shrub groupings shall be separated from other groupings a minimum of 15 feet (4572 mm). 4. Shrub groupings shall be separated from structures a minimum of 30 feet (9144 mm). 5. Where shrubs are located below or within a tree’s drip line, the lowest tree branch shall be a minimum of three times the height of the understory shrubs or 10 feet (3048 mm), whichever is greater.
603.4.2 Trees. Trees shall be managed as follows within the 30-foot zone (9144 mm) of a structure: 1. New trees shall be planted and maintained so that the tree’s drip line at maturity is a minimum of 10 feet (3048 mm) from any combustible structure. 2. The horizontal distance between crowns of new trees and crowns of adjacent trees shall not be less than 10 feet (3048 mm). 3. Existing trees shall be trimmed to provide a minimum separation of 10 feet (3048 mm) away from chimney and stovepipe outlets per California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 1299.03.
CWUIC § 102.4 Medium relevance — show source text
The chapter includes mitigation strategies to reduce the hazards of fire originating within a structure spreading to wildland and fire originating in wildland spreading to structures.
Chapter 7 Referenced Standards.
Chapter 7 lists all of the product and installation standards and codes that are referenced throughout Chapters 1 through 6 and includes identification of the promulgators and the section numbers in which the standards and codes are referenced. As stated in Section 102.4, these standards and codes become an enforceable part of the code (to the prescribed extent of the reference) as if printed in the body of the code.
Appendix A General Requirements.
Appendix A, while not part of the code, can become part of the code when specifically included in the adopting ordinance. Its purpose is to provide fire-protection measures supplemental to those found in Chapter 6 to reduce the threat of wildfire in a wildland-urban interface area and improve the capability for controlling such fires. This appendix includes detailed requirements for vegetation control; the code official’s authority to close wildland-interface areas in times of high fire danger; control of fires, fireworks usage and other sources of ignition; storage of hazardous materials and combustibles; bans on the dumping of waste materials and ashes and coals in wildlandurban interface areas; protection of pumps and water supplies; and limits on temporary uses within the wildland-urban interface area.
Appendix B Vegetation Management Plan.
Appendix B, while not part of the code, can become part of the code when specifically included in the adopting ordinance. Its purpose is to provide criteria for submitting vegetation management plans, specifying their content and establishing a criterion for considering vegetation management as being a fuel modification.
Appendix C Community Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Fire Hazard Evaluation Framework.
Appendix C contains a preliminary Community WUI Fire Hazard Evaluation Framework as a suggested methodology to begin to support communities at risk in the identification of their unique hazards and to provide common metrics for comparisons between communities. This preliminary framework includes information on community size, population and fuels; on notification and evacuation; and on the community infrastructure and firefighting response potential. Aspects of this framework may already be included in various community- level documents, such as Community Wildfire Protection Plans or evacuation plans. Development of a standard framework will (1) consolidate relevant WUI fire hazard and planning information in one place, and (2) allow for cross-community comparisons.
The evaluation required to implement this framework will support prefire hazard assessment and during-fire response operations. An increased understanding of fire evacuation, fire structural response and fire defensive action relationships is needed to assess the over- all community WUI fire hazard. The quantification of these relationships will enable communities to optimize the community-level response to WUI fire hazards in a more integrated approach and result in increased life safety and reduced losses.
Appendix D Model Ordinance for Fire Hazard Severity Zone Adoption.
Appendix D is an informational appendix that is a sample ordinance designed as guidance for a city, county, city and county, or fire district to establish and designate fire hazard severity zones within their jurisdiction.
Appendix E Reserved.
Appendix F Characteristics of Fire-Smart Vegetation.
Appendix F is an informational appendix provided for the convenience of the code user. It is simply a compilation of the eight characteristics of fire-smart vegetation that can be used effectively within wildland-urban interface areas to reduce the likelihood of fire spread through vegetation.
**App
CWUIC § 6-3 Medium relevance — show source text
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FIRE PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS
602.3.2 Final fire protection plan. Final fire protection plan shall include items listed in Section 602.3.1 and the following: 1. A map identifying all proposed plants in the fuel modification zones with a legend that includes a symbol for each proposed plant species. The plan shall include specific information on each species proposed, including but not limited to: 1.1. The plant life-form;
1.2. The scientific and common name; and
1.3. The expected height and width for mature growth. 2. Identification of irrigated and nonirrigated zones. 3. Requirements for vegetation reduction around emergency access and evacuation routes. 4. Identification of points of access for equipment and personnel to maintain vegetation in common areas. 5. Legally binding statements regarding community responsibility for maintenance of fuel modification zones. 6. Legally binding statements to be included in covenants, conditions and restrictions regarding property owner responsibili- ties for vegetation maintenance.
SECTION 603— VEGETATION PLAN
603.1 General. Planting of vegetation for new landscaping shall be selected to reduce vegetation in proximity to a structure and to maintain vegetation as it matures.
603.2 Application. All new plantings of vegetation in State Responsibility Area (SRA) and Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) designated as a Fire Hazard Severity Zone shall comply with Sections 603.3 through 603.4.2.1.
603.3 Landscape plans. Landscape plans shall be provided when required by the code official. The landscape plan shall include devel- opment and maintenance requirements for the vegetation management zone adjacent to structures and roadways, and provide significant fire hazard reduction benefits for public and firefighting safety.
603.3.1 Contents. Landscape plans shall contain the following: 1. Delineation of the 30-foot (9144 mm) and 100-foot (30 480 mm) fuel management zones from all structures. 2. Identification of existing vegetation to remain and proposed new vegetation. 3. Identification of irrigated areas. 4. A plant legend with both botanical and common names, and identification of all plant material symbols. 5. Identification of ground coverings within the 30-foot (9144 mm) zone.
603.4 Vegetation. All new vegetation shall be fire-smart vegetation in accordance with this section.
Exception: Trees classified as nonfire-smart vegetation complying with Section 603.4.2.1.
To be considered fire-smart vegetation, vegetation must meet at least one of the following: 1. Be identified as fire-smart vegetation in an approved book, journal or listing from an approved organization. 2. Be identified as fire-smart vegetation by a licensed landscape architect with supporting justification. 3. Plants considered fire-smart vegetation and approved by the local enforcing agency.
CWUIC § 1.11. Medium relevance — show source text
APPENDIX B – VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN
(Matrix Adoption Tables are nonregulatory, intended only as an aid to the code user. See Chapter 1 for state agency authority and building applications.)
(Not adopted by the State Fire Marshal)
Adopting Agency BSC BSC-
CGSFM Col5 HCD Col7 Col8 DSA Col10 OSHPD Col12 Col13 Col14 Col15 Col16 BSCC DPH AGR DWR CEC CA SL SLC Adopting Agency BSC BSC-
CGT-24 T-19* 1 2 1/AC AC SS 1 1R 2 3 4 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 Adopt Entire Chapter Adopt Entire Chapter as
amended (amended sections
listed below)Adopt only those sections that
are listed below[California Code of Regulations,
Title 19, Division 1]Chapter / Section - The California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 19, Division 1 provisions that are found in the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code are a reprint from the current CCR, Title 19, Division 1 text for the code user’s convenience only. The scope, applicability and appeals procedures of CCR, Title 19, Division I remain the same. The state agency does not adopt sections identified by the following symbol: The Office of the State Fire Marshal’s adoption of this chapter or individual sections is applicable to structures regulated by other state agencies pursuant to Section 1.11.
The California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 14, Division 1.5 provisions that are found in the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code are not listed in the Matrix Adoption Tables as they are not within the State Fire Marshal’s authority to adopt. These provisions are a reprint from the current CCR, Title 14, Division 1.5 text for the code user’s convenience only and are identified in the body of the code by square brackets containing references to applicable Title 14 sections.
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B VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN
The provisions contained in this appendix are not mandatory unless specifically referenced in the adopting ordinance.
User notes:
CWUIC § 102.4 Medium relevance — show source text
Chapter 5 Special Building Construction Regulations.
The regulations in Chapter 5 establish minimum standards for the location, design and construction of buildings and structures based on construction within a Fire Hazard Severity Zone or a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Area.
The construction provisions of Chapter 5 are intended to supplement the requirements of the California Building Code and Califor- nia Residential Code and address mitigation of the unique hazards posed to buildings by wildfire and to reduce the hazards of building fires spreading to wildland fuels. This is accomplished by requiring ignition-resistant construction materials.
Chapter 6 Fire Protection Requirements.
Chapter 6 contains additional requirements for development and construction in Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) designated as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones and areas designated by the State Fire Marshal as State Responsibility Areas (SRA). While many of these provisions are found in Title 14 and Title 19 of the California Code of Regulations, they are replicated here for the code user. The local jurisdiction has the authority to apply the same regulations to LRA when the regulations are adopted by local ordinance.
The requirements in this chapter reference the process for adoption of Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones in the LRA; criteria for evaluating existing subdivisions that are at significant fire risk and are without an adequate secondary egress; and criteria for fire safety provisions required in the Safety Element of a city or county General Plan.
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The chapter includes mitigation strategies to reduce the hazards of fire originating within a structure spreading to wildland and fire originating in wildland spreading to structures.
Chapter 7 Referenced Standards.
Chapter 7 lists all of the product and installation standards and codes that are referenced throughout Chapters 1 through 6 and includes identification of the promulgators and the section numbers in which the standards and codes are referenced. As stated in Section 102.4, these standards and codes become an enforceable part of the code (to the prescribed extent of the reference) as if printed in the body of the code.
Appendix A General Requirements.
Appendix A, while not part of the code, can become part of the code when specifically included in the adopting ordinance. Its purpose is to provide fire-protection measures supplemental to those found in Chapter 6 to reduce the threat of wildfire in a wildland-urban interface area and improve the capability for controlling such fires. This appendix includes detailed requirements for vegetation control; the code official’s authority to close wildland-interface areas in times of high fire danger; control of fires, fireworks usage and other sources of ignition; storage of hazardous materials and combustibles; bans on the dumping of waste materials and ashes and coals in wildlandurban interface areas; protection of pumps and water supplies; and limits on temporary uses within the wildland-urban interface area.
Appendix B Vegetation Management Plan.
Appendix B, while not part of the code, can become part of the code when specifically included in the adopting ordinance. Its purpose is to provide criteria for submitting vegetation management plans, specifying their content and establishing a criterion for considering vegetation management as being a fuel modification.
Appendix C Community Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Fire Hazard Evaluation Framework.
CWUIC § 104.2.2.7 Medium relevance — show source text
Outbuilding 202
Peer Review 104.2.2.7, 202 Permits
Application 105.4 Approval 105.5 Expiration 105.8 Issuance 105.6 Preliminary inspection 105.4.1 Refusal to issue 105.6.1
Required 105.2 Retention 105.9
Revocation 105.10 Validity 105.7 Work exempt from permit 105.3 Placarding as Unsafe 109.3.5.3 Powers and Duties of the Code
Official 104.1
Practical Difficulties 104.2.3 Protection of Pumps and Water Storage Facilities Appendix A, A107
Rafter Tail 202 Referenced Standards 102.4, Chapter 7 Registered Design Professional 104.2.1.2, 104.2.2.6.2, 106.1, 202 Residential Unit 202 Retroactivity 101.4 Ridgelline 202 Road 202 Roof Covering 202 Roof Covering System 202 Roof Coverings, Replacement or Repair of 507
Roof Deck 202
Scope 101 Self-Defense Mechanism Appendix G Service Utilities 111
Slope 202 Spark Arrestors 605 Stop Work Order 113 Storage of Firewood and Combustible Materials 607 Strategic Ridgeline 202 Structure 202
Subdivision 202
Technical Assistance 104.2.1 Temporary Uses, Equipment and Systems 107 Tree Crown 202
Trees 603.4.2
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INDEX
Undeveloped Ridgeline 202 Unenclosed Accessory Structure 202
Vegetation Control Appendix A, A102 Vegetation management compliance 106.4 Vegetation Management Plan Appendix B Vents 504.10
Vertical Curve 202
Water Supply Adequate water supply 404.5 Applicability 402 Draft sites 404.3 Hydrants 404.4 Identification 404.8
Obstructions 404.7 Reliability 404.10 Required water supply 404.2 Subdivisions 402.1 Testing and maintenance 404.9 Water sources 404.2
Wildfire 202
Wildland 202
Wildland-Urban Interface Area 202
Wildland-Urban Interface Area Designations 302 Declaration 302.1
Mapping 302.2 Review 302.3
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HISTORY NOTE APPENDIX
2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 7
HISTORY:
CWUIC § 602.2 Medium relevance — show source text
602.2 Contents. The fire protection plan shall be based on a project-specific wildfire hazard assessment that includes considerations of location, topography, aspect and climatic and fire history.
The plan shall identify conformance with all applicable state wildfire protection regulations, statutes and applicable local ordi- nances, whichever are more restrictive.
The plan shall address fire department access, egress, road and address signage and water supply in addition to fuel reduction in accordance with Public Resources Code (PRC) 4290; the defensible space requirements in accordance with PRC 4291 or Government Code 51182; and the applicable building codes and standards for wildfire safety. The plan shall identify mitigation measures to address the project’s specific wildfire risk and shall include the information required in Sections 602.3 through 602.3.2.
602.3 Project information. The final fire protection plan shall be reviewed and approved prior to start of construction.
602.3.1 Preliminary fire protection plan. When a preliminary fire protection plan is submitted, it shall include, at a minimum, the following: 1. Total size of the project. 2. Information on the adjoining properties on all sides, including current land uses, and if known, existing structures and densi- ties, planned construction, natural vegetation, environmental restoration plans, roads and parks. 3. A map with all project boundary lines, property lines, slope contour lines, proposed structure foundation footprints, and proposed roads and driveways. The map shall identify project fuel modification zones and method of identifying the fuel modification zone boundaries.
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FIRE PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS
602.3.2 Final fire protection plan. Final fire protection plan shall include items listed in Section 602.3.1 and the following: 1. A map identifying all proposed plants in the fuel modification zones with a legend that includes a symbol for each proposed plant species. The plan shall include specific information on each species proposed, including but not limited to: 1.1. The plant life-form;
1.2. The scientific and common name; and
1.3. The expected height and width for mature growth. 2. Identification of irrigated and nonirrigated zones. 3. Requirements for vegetation reduction around emergency access and evacuation routes. 4. Identification of points of access for equipment and personnel to maintain vegetation in common areas. 5. Legally binding statements regarding community responsibility for maintenance of fuel modification zones. 6. Legally binding statements to be included in covenants, conditions and restrictions regarding property owner responsibili- ties for vegetation maintenance.
SECTION 603— VEGETATION PLAN
603.1 General. Planting of vegetation for new landscaping shall be selected to reduce vegetation in proximity to a structure and to maintain vegetation as it matures.
603.2 Application. All new plantings of vegetation in State Responsibility Area (SRA) and Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) designated as a Fire Hazard Severity Zone shall comply with Sections 603.3 through 603.4.2.1.
CWUIC § 4.420 Medium relevance — show source text
410|≥4.420|NA|AHRI
550/590| |Water
source
electri-
cally
operated
positive
displace-
ment|<75|≤0.7885
FL
≤0.6316
IPLV.IP|≤0.7875
FL
≤0.5145
IPLV.IP|75/655|NA|NA|NA|≥3.550|NA|NA|NA|6.150|6.150| |Water
source
electri-
cally
operated
positive
displace-
ment|≥75
and
<150|≤0.7579
FL
≤0.5895
IPLV.IP|≤0.7140
FL
≤0.4620
IPLV.IP|54/445|≥4.640|≥3.680|≥2.680|NA|≥8.330|≥6.410|≥4.420|NA|NA| |Water
source
electri-
cally
operated
positive
displace-
ment|≥75
and
<150|≤0.7579
FL
≤0.5895
IPLV.IP|≤0.7140
FL
≤0.4620
IPLV.IP|75/655|NA|NA|NA|≥3.550|NA|NA|NA|6.150|6.150| |Water
source
electri-
cally
operated
positive
displace-
ment|≥150
and
<300|≤0.6947
FL
≤0.5684
IPLV.IP|≤0.7140
FL
≤0.4620
IPLV.IP|54/445|≥4.640|≥3.680|≥2.680|NA|≥8.330|≥6.410|≥4.420|NA|NA| |Water
source
electri-
cally
operated
positive
displace-
ment|≥150
and
<300|≤0.6947
FL
≤0.5684
IPLV.IP|≤0.7140
FL
≤0.4620
IPLV.IP|75/655|NA|NA|NA|≥3.550|NA|NA|NA|6.150|6.150| |Water
source
electri-
cally
operated
positive
displace-
ment|≥300
and
<600|≤0.6421
FL
≤0.5474
IPLV.IP|≤0.6563
FL
≤0.4305
IPLV.IP|54/445|≥4.930|≥3.960|≥2.970|NA|≥8.900|≥6.CWUIC § 106.1 Medium relevance — show source text
- It is used by a person other than the person to whom the permit was issued.
- It is used for a location other than that for which the permit was issued.
- Any of the conditions or limitations set forth in the permit have been violated.
- The permittee fails, refuses or neglects to comply with any order or notice duly served on him or her under the provisions of this code within the time provided therein.
- There has been any false statement or misrepresentation as to material fact in the application or plans on which the permit or application was made.
- The permit is issued in error or in violation of any other ordinance, regulations or provisions of this code.
The code official is allowed to, in writing, suspend or revoke a permit issued under the provisions of this code whenever the permit is issued in error or on the basis of incorrect information supplied, or in violation of any ordinance or regulation or any of the provisions of this code.
SECTION 106—CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS
[A] 106.1 General. Plans, engineering calculations, diagrams and other data shall be submitted in not fewer than two sets, or in a digital format where allowed by the code official, with each application for a permit. The construction documents shall be prepared by a registered design professional where required by the statutes of the jurisdiction in which the project is to be constructed. Where special conditions exist, the code official is authorized to require additional documents to be prepared by a registered design professional.
Exception: Submission of plans, calculations, construction inspection requirements and other data, if it is found that the nature of the work applied for is such that reviewing of plans is not necessary to obtain compliance with this code.
[A] 106.2 Information on plans and specifications. Plans and specifications shall be drawn to scale on substantial paper or cloth and shall be of sufficient clarity to indicate the location, nature and extent of the work proposed, and show in detail that it will conform to the provisions of this code and relevant laws, ordinances, rules and regulations.
[A] 106.3 Site plan. In addition to the requirements for plans in the California Building Code, site plans shall include topography, width and percent of grade of access roads, landscape and vegetation details, locations of structures or building envelopes, existing or proposed overhead utilities, occupancy classification of buildings, types of ignition-resistant construction of buildings, structures and their appendages, roof classification of buildings and site water supply systems. The code official is authorized to waive or modify the requirement for a site plan where the application for permit is for alteration or repair or where otherwise warranted.
[A] 106.4 Vegetation management compliance . Prior to the building permit final approval, the property shall be in compliance with the vegetation management requirements prescribed in Section 603, including California Public Resources Code 4291 or California Government Code Section 51182. Acceptable methods of compliance inspection and documentation shall be determined by the enforc- ing agency and shall be permitted to include any of the following: 1. Local, state or federal fire authority or designee authorized to enforce vegetation management requirements. 2. Enforcing agency.
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on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
ADMINISTRATION
3. Third-party inspection and certification authorized to enforce vegetation management requirements. 4. Property owner certification authorized by the enforcing agency.
Frequently asked questions
Do I always need a vegetation management plan when I landscape my yard?
Not always — a vegetation management plan is required to be submitted with permit plans (see § B101.1) and the code official may require a landscape plan for new plantings in Fire Hazard Severity Zones under § 603.2/§ 603.3. Check whether your project requires a permit and whether your parcel is in an SRA/LRA Fire Hazard Severity Zone.
Is Appendix B mandatory statewide?
No — Appendix B language (including § B101.x) is informational and is not mandatory unless adopted by the local jurisdiction’s ordinance. Confirm local adoption.
What distances do I need to show on a landscape plan?
You must delineate the 30‑foot and 100‑foot fuel‑management zones from all structures on the landscape plan required under § 603.3.1.
Can I plant tall shrubs right next to my house if they are “fire‑smart”?
No — within the 30‑foot zone the code places limits (for example, shrubs shall not exceed 6 feet and grouping limits apply); also a plant must meet the code’s fire‑smart criteria. Document justification per § 603.4 / § 603.4.1.
Who inspects and verifies compliance before final approval?
The enforcing agency determines acceptable methods (local/state/federal fire authority, third‑party inspection, or property owner certification) — see § 106.4 for acceptable inspection/certification methods prior to final approval.
More in California Wildland-Urban Interface Code
- Administration and Definitions
- Board of Appeals, Administration & Enforcement (permits, code official duties, appeals process)
- Wildland‑Urban Interface Area Designation & Mapping
- Fire Service Access & Water Supply (fire apparatus roads, driveways, hydrants, draft sites, standby power)
- Wildland‑Urban Interface Area Requirements (access, water, premises identification, key boxes)
- Referenced Standards & Test Methods
- Special Building Construction Regulations (ignition‑resistant construction, roof/vent/assembly requirements)
- Appendices and Model Ordinances (vegetation plans, severity‑zone adoption, home‑hardening guidance)
- Fire Protection Requirements (fire protection plans, systems, safety element provisions)
- Referenced California Documents & Matrix (CCR/Title 14 & 19 cross‑references, statutory references)
- Vegetation Management & Defensible Space (vegetation plans, maintenance, fire‑smart characteristics)
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